I want to release music that is true to myself.

I always make a wish at 11:11, even if its something cheesy.

A lot of people who wanted to audition for Idol have asked me: “What should I do?” or “How to I prepare myself?” I always told them: “Just go in and believe in yourself.”

I listen to music when I'm feeling down or just a certain way. I don't know what I'd do without it!

Do not let anything get in your way of chasing your dreams.

The best part of being signed by a major label was having the support of a big company behind me and the ability to meet new artists and producers.

Being hurt by someone you really cared about, it makes me want to make them regret ever hurting my heart. Best way of doing that? Success. Get ready for it.

I was born in America, but I consider myself a Filipino.

Even though it was a stressful time in my life, I have a lot of good memories from my Idol experience.

The thing that I did not like about being signed to a label was I unable to have control over what I wanted to do.

My experience working with a major label was not all bad, I was blessed to go through that experience, and I know what to do during the next time around.

See with your soul and not your eyesbecause to dance with the beasts youmust penetrate their disguise.

A strong positive mental attitude is the best gift that you could ever give to your life.

Embrace the pain to inherit the gain.

Nobody should ever try to second-guess history

It was genuinely eye-opening for me to read Tolstoy or Steinbeck or Colette for the first time and to feel as though they were speaking to me.

If you feed the poor, you're a saint. If you ask why they're poor, you're a Communist.

She wasn't much to look at but she was something to think about.

I love singing and I think I have a really nice voice, but I don't think I have an unbelievable singing voice. I think I have a great character voice.

There never was a war that was not inward.

There is nothing wherein their womanliness is more honestly garnished than with silence.